Anbesol Liquid 10ml

What is Anbesol Liquid 10ml?

Anbesol Liquid is a pharmacy medicine applied directly to a sore spot in the mouth. It contains the local anaesthetic lidocaine hydrochloride 0.9% together with two antiseptics, and is licensed for the temporary relief of pain from recurrent mouth ulcers and denture irritation, and for teething in babies from five months where non-medicine measures have not helped.

How does it help?

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic. Dabbed onto the lining of the mouth it temporarily stops the nerve endings in that patch of tissue from sending pain signals, so the ulcer or sore gum stops hurting for a while. The cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorocresol in it are antiseptics that help keep the area clean.

Key benefits

• Numbs the painful spot itself rather than treating the whole body
• Applied with a clean fingertip or cotton bud, so you can target one ulcer
• Licensed for mouth ulcers, denture irritation and teething from five months
• Small 10ml bottle that fits in a bag

Who should take care?

Always read the patient information leaflet before use. Do not use it if you have porphyria, or if you have ever reacted to lidocaine or another amide-type local anaesthetic, or to chlorocresol. Do not use it at the same time as any other lidocaine-containing product, and never exceed the stated dose or shorten the gap between applications — too much can lead to high levels in the blood and serious effects. Take extra care where the lining of the mouth is damaged, as more is absorbed. Do not use it for longer than seven days, and have any mouth ulcer lasting more than three weeks checked by your dentist or GP. Oral lidocaine products are pharmacy-only medicines, so our pharmacist checks it is right for you before it is dispensed.